Students auditioning for ILMEA’s fall 2025 student ensembles should use these resources and instructions as they prepare to record and submit audition videos.

Join us for the 2026 ILMEA Large Group Festival series! We invite all participating middle and high school band, orchestra, instrumental jazz and chorus programs to join us in this unique event designed to bring our musical community together for world-class performance venues, invaluable feedback from renowned adjudicators, inspiring performances, and the opportunity to support fellow educators and students from around the state!

We’re excited to launch a brand-new space for ILMEA members to connect, collaborate, and share ideas year-round. The ILMEA Member Forum is your hub for asking questions, exchanging resources, and engaging in meaningful conversations with music educators from across Illinois!

ILMEA seeks to promote and celebrate research through the inclusion of our annual research poster session and spotlight presentation at the 2026 Illinois Music Education Conference. Research studies employing qualitative, quantitative, mixed, philosophical and historical methodologies will be considered for these sessions. Submissions of action research studies completed by music educators in their classrooms and rehearsal halls are encouraged!

ILMEA is excited for the inaugural Junior High All-State Band and Orchestra in January 2026 and the return of the Junior High All-State Chorus! As with any new program, we know that educators, administrators and parents will have many questions. This FAQ will help to address these questions so that everyone is as prepared as possible for this outstanding experience.

ILMEA is excited to announce the launch of our Presenter's Bureau, a network of expert clinicians dedicated to supporting music educators across Illinois. We are seeking talented presenters to apply to join our core team, offering professional development sessions both virtually and in-person. 

ILMEA is issuing an urgent call to action regarding HB1358 + Amendment 2, which severely restricts a school board's ability to request and renew physical education (PE) waivers. The House Education Committee voted the bill through to the house floor, despite the more than 2220 witness slips filed in opposition, as compared to the 395 witness slips in favor. The bill is now expected on the House floor. ILMEA urges you to take immediate action by contacting your legislators to vote “No” on this bill.

The Illinois State Board of Education is exploring changes to the Illinois School Report card, and the proposed accountability system does not have a clear plan for including the Fine Arts as an indicator for School Quality/Student Success (SQSS). We need Music Education Advocates to voice their support for how fine arts can be an impactful piece of reporting school quality and student success.

A look back on the fantastic clinics, performances, and events at the 2025 Illinois Music Education Conference. More photos will be added so stay tuned!

If you are looking to harness the power of your music department’s parents, friends and families, this concert program insert can give them great ideas to get started! It is available as both an image file or PDF so whether it is a digital or print program, you can get the word out to your community during your next performance.